I just found your message after typing mine- looking for similiar advice...

WE all knew about haemmorhoids/piles/v.veins around the anal area in pregnancy but my god no one told me the same version (varicose veins)around the vagina/labia could be so uncomfortable ! Has anyone got any ideas about how to treat these ? Do they go away or are they here for the long haul ( I've got 7 weeks to go)?

I have yet to go to my GP but I am imagining she will just tell me to have lots of rest- I am sure my 19 month old will agree.

Help.....

The best info i can supply is to buy a pair of the big support pants from Mothercare and wear them with a big sanitry pad this will take the pressure off, Also when very painful Anusol applied relieves any discomfort. Resting is the only other thing that helps lying flat with feet up. The only good thing I can tell you is that it shouldn't affect delivery and that they should disappear after the baby is born. I am due in 2 weeks so I will let you know what happens.

pop & emlou - you know, I'm sure my sister had these with her no.2 (she'd kill me for saying it!) If I remember correctly, she also used to wear a big, thick sanitary towel (none of your ultra thin jobbies!) for comfort and support. Don't remember her saying that it caused any problems at the birth, and she hasn't mentioned them since, so I can only assume that it was the weight of the pregnancy causing the vascular congestion, and once that had gone everything returned to normal - so that's a bit of good news (unlike vvs of the leg which stay around to haunt you, and I speak from personal experience here!!!) Hope you're soon feeling much more comfortable - not long to go now, good luck!

tell your friend to not worry about a thing. VVs go away as soon as the baby is delivered, and they cause no complications during the delivery. It's that awful feeling of swollen lips that is a bigger problem than anything else. For the next couple of weeks, she has a good excuse for sitting down a lot, as this will take the pressure off. Unfortunately, every time she stands up, she will feel her VVs filling up again. No cause for worry though. Delivery is not more painful, and is not prolonged. In fact, I've never heard of anyone ever mentioning their VVs during labour or delivery

thanks for the advice- things have settled down a bit at the moment but I will try a pad once they flair up again which they will no doubt ! Only 3 weeks to go thank goodness

Good luck, emlou, glad to hear things are ok at the mo, keep us posted! And pop, fab news about your friend, send our mumsnet love to her x